For graduation 2026 Gratefully reprinting verbatim testimonies about Princeton

RantWoman heartily congratulates this year's graduates. RantWoman has LOTS of other opinions that deserve their own space another time. 

Photo montage of alumni at Reunions

As Princetonians of all ages prepare to celebrate Reunions and Commencement over the next week, we give three cheers for the University’s generous financial aid program, which enables students, regardless of financial circumstances, to embrace the power and possibility of a Princeton education. And don’t forget that the impact of Princeton aid lasts far beyond graduation, as nearly 90% of students graduate debt-free, freeing them to pursue lives of leadership and service without worries about loan payments.

Opportunity. Possibility. Empowering. University students share what “Princeton is” to them and how the University has opened doors and inspired them to become leaders prepared to stand up for what they believe.

Financial aid opens doors

Left to right: Matthew Trotter ’22, Autumn Shelton ’24, and Taraje Whitfield ’22

Matthew Trotter ’22: An “unparalleled” financial aid package makes a dream a reality Matthew Trotter grew up in Union Dale, Pennsylvania, population 239. “Everyone knows each other and helps each other. But at the same time, there’s not always a lot of opportunity for people to live out their dreams.” The imposing costs of college loomed over Trotter’s own dreams until he received a “yes” from Princeton. “I accepted as soon as I saw the financial aid package. The package that I was given was unparalleled — it gave me momentum to follow my dreams.” Four years after Princeton, Trotter graduated from Sidney Kimmel Medical College and will soon begin his family medicine residency near Philadelphia. “Through the doors opened for me by Princeton, I look forward to helping serve the community as a doctor,” he said. Autumn Shelton ’24: A heart for service in rural America Autumn Shelton grew up in Lamar, Missouri, a small town in the southwestern part of the state. She hadn’t considered applying to Princeton until visiting for an arts and humanities seminar during her senior year. Her time at the University inspired a passion to serve humanity, particularly in rural areas like Lamar. “I realize how unique and important my hometown and culture are, and I want to go back to rural America and be one of the people who are working to protect it and make it better.” After graduation, Shelton joined the staff at Camp McDowell in Alabama where she farms and teaches children hands-on agricultural skills. She plans to start law school in the fall and return to rural America following graduation. Taraje Whitfield ’22: A first-generation college student paves the way for his family A varsity athlete from Millersville, Pennsylvania, Taraje Whitfield overcame the complications of remote learning during the pandemic, not only maintaining his studies online, but also supervising and tutoring his youngest siblings. “I helped them out a lot growing up, and now it brings me so much joy to hear them talk about wanting to go to Princeton when they grow up. I haven’t had anyone in my family that I could go to for counsel about college, but I think it’s a huge blessing that I could be the person who paves the way for a new standard where college is normal for the generations of family behind me.” Since graduating in 2022, Whitfield earned a master’s in biomedical science at the University of Connecticut and is finishing his first year in the Medical Scientist Training Program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he was elected class president. “Princeton played a major role in my getting to where I am now, and I will forever be grateful to the University for its support of me, and the doors it opened.”

WORTH       SHARING Most families with incomes up to $150,000/year will pay nothing for their student to attend Princeton — with tuition, housing, food, books and other expenses covered. Most making up to $250,000 pay no tuition.